How bad is wealth inequality in the U.S.? It’s probably worse than you thought. As an eye-opening video that went viral over the weekend shows, not only do most Americans think that wealth is unfairly distributed in this country, they also have no idea how bad things really are.

Based on data from a 2011 Mother Jones article, the video breaks down the gap between rich and poor and the gaping divide between what Americans across the political spectrum consider an “ideal” curve of wealth distribution and what exists in reality.

Originally published in November on Youtube, the video is making the rounds on the Monday after Obama signed into law $85 billion worth of government spending cuts after no deal was reached last week on sequestration. Perhaps more tellingly, it’s also the same day that Forbes magazine released its annual billionaires list, highlighting the 1,426 people who control $5.4 trillion of the world’s wealth.

I admire this video for opening up this conversation about the wealth disparity in America. Though I would like to see international comparative figures, comparing this distribution to other first, second and third world nations. I would like to see (maybe a sequel) a thoughtful solution proposed: nationalize industries? public policy initiatives? regulation (so that the 1% abide by the same laws the 99 % must) ?

The USA is not "America the great" nor has it ever been. It is an idea. It is a goal.

seems only a few small Scandinavian countries have done anything about this problem. as it gets worse in places like china and eventually the usa there will be more social instability and potential violence. i think the usa empire is crumbling because of this inequality.